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| Founded | 2005 | |||
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| Ceased operations | 28 March 2010 | |||
| Operating bases | Macau International Airport | |||
| Fleet size | 3 | |||
| Destinations | 7 | |||
| Company slogan | We mean the world to Macau | |||
| Parent company | Macau Eagle Aviation Services Ltd. | |||
| Headquarters | Macau | |||
| Key people | Ngan In Leng (Chairman) Reg Macdonald (CEO) Kevin McKenzie (Board Member) |
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| Website | www.flyvivamacau.com | |||
Viva Macau Airlines was a Macanese long-haul, low-cost carrier based at Macau International Airport. The airline operated flights to Australia and Asia.[1]
In March 2010, Viva Macau was forced to suspend operations after the Macau government suddenly ordered Air Macau to cancel its sub-concession agreement with Viva Macau, alleging that Viva Macau failed to adequately assist passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations.[2] The government then quickly revoked Viva Macau's Air Operator's Certificate, saying that without a sub-concession, the airline was not compliant with the requirements for public air transport services.[3][4] The action is currently under appeal in the Macau courts and has raised questions for foreign investors regarding Macau's regulatory environment.[5]
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In 1994, the Macau Government attracted a consortium of investors to start Air Macau with the promise of a 25-year monopoly concession. The carrier set up as a connecting airline for flights between China and Taiwan primarily, as well as other Southeast Asian countries.[1]
Under a sub-concession arrangement with Air Macau, Viva Macau launched new routes from Macau in 2006, pioneering the concept of LCC-type low-cost, long-haul services.[6] Despite Air Macau holding the exclusive concession on all air routes out of Macau, after lengthy negotiations the government agreed to license the new airline on the condition that any routes Viva Macau wanted to operate had first to be approved by Air Macau.[1]
In the years that followed, Viva Macau expanded service with new routes from Macau to Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan and Australia.[7][8] Viva Macau was named the “New Airline of the Year” in November 2007 by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, due in part to its contribution to the development of the aviation industry and tourism in Macau, and across Asia.[9]
In September 2009, Viva Macau, was voted in the “Top 10 Budget Airlines” by the readers of SmartTravelAsia.com for the second consecutive year.[10] Also in September 2009, Viva Macau become the first Macau-based airline to receive certification from the Macau Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) for Extended Twin Engine Operations (ETOPS). ETOPS is the global standard for efficient long distance flight operations.[11]
Due to Macau’s limited workforce, the company employed staff from 28 different countries, as well as local labor.
After the Global Financial Crisis of 2008, the company struggled financially and the Macau SAR government provided financial support to the airline. During 2008–2009, the Macau SAR government lent Viva Macau MOP200 million to help improve the airline's sustainability, after taking similar action to rescue Air Macau.[12]
On 28 March 2010, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau ordered Air Macau to cancel its sub-concession agreement with Viva Macau, alleging that Viva Macau failed to adequately assist passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations.[2] The government then quickly revoked Viva Macau's Air Operator's Certificate, saying that without a sub-concession, the airline was not compliant with the requirements for public air transport services.[3][4] The action is currently under appeal in the Macau courts and has raised questions for foreign investors regarding Macau's regulatory environment.[5] The Macau SAR government provided assistance to passengers who were stranded because of the suspension of Viva Macau's operations.[13] Viva Macau did plan to resume operations on the 2 April but those plans fell through.[14]
The de-facto national carrier of Macau, Air Macau, had concluded a licensing agreement which allowed Viva Macau to operate (since Air Macau owns the air-traffic rights to destinations that Viva Macau intended to fly to). In addition, Viva Macau was negotiating further co-operation with Air Macau in the form of joint marketing or codesharing. The two airlines were not expected to compete with each other while Air Macau continued to concentrate on short-haul full-service routes, especially domestic flights to People's Republic of China and Republic of China.
In its short history Viva Macau had changed its destinations depending on consumer demand. The airline also operated a number of charter flights to Japan, including Tokyo. It was likely that their routes would have been expanded in the future (including the possibility of scheduled service to Tokyo via Ibaraki Airport).[1]
Viva Macau operated the following Boeing aircraft (at 28 March 2010):[1][15][16]
| Aircraft | In Fleet | Passengers |
|---|---|---|
| Boeing 767-200ER | 1 | 210 |
| Boeing 767-300ER | 2 | 245 |
Acquisition of more aircraft was planned, building up to a fleet of 10-15 aircraft within five years.
Viva Macau operated a two class service – Economy Class and Premium Class. Checked luggage is not included in the ticket price for Economy passengers – they may purchase up to 15 kilograms (33 lb) of luggage allowance on check-in. Economy offers 32 inches of seat pitch and a buy-on-board meal service. Premium passengers receive 55 inches of seat pitch and free meals as well as 30 kg of checked luggage included in the ticket price.[1]
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